A basin has 2 main characteristics

What is a Basin Landform?

A basin landform consists of an area of land, usually like a smaller prairie, enclosed by higher land such as hills and mountains. A basin does not have to consist of lowland like a prairie. It can consist of land such as a desert or even an arctic desert. A lot of these types of landforms often do not have a place where water can run out since it is surrounded by high land.

One of the most well known basins in the world is the Great Artesian Basin of Australia. It is truly an amazing site to see.

How are Basins Formed?

Basins are formed in a few ways just like many of the other landforms of the world. One of the most common ways is the basins are formed through movement of the Earth’s crust better know as plate tectonics. Plate tectonics can cause many things such as volcanoes erupting and the formation of mountains. When some plates move it causes mountains in certain areas. Sometimes this can leave or sink other areas of land which is surrounded by the mountain. This creates a basin.

Another way basins are formed is through erosion. This erosion is usually caused by water. The water sinks some land and adds more to others, which creates hills or bluffs. The land that is taken away is now lower than the other land. Basins usually take thousands of years to form.

Basin Definition

A basin is a hollow or depression in the earth’s surface, wholly or partly surrounded by higher land such as a river basin.

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